A catalytic converter, which is a helpful sub-auto part of an automotive exhaust system, has a lot to offer under its sleeves. Commonly equipped in vehicles, catalytic converters are no longer just for those trusty four-wheel motors, as these are also being utilized in factories.

Whether used in a vehicle’s or a factory’s exhaust system, catalytic converters have the same task of filtering those noxious emissions before going into the air. In vehicles alone, harmful gases such as Carbon monoxide and Sulfur oxide are produced during an engine’s combustion. These ozone hazards are just some of the factors that worsen environmental problems like global warming. A catalytic converter treats the engine’s exhaust and makes the vehicle friendlier to the environment.

Aside from vehicles, factories can also make use of the catalytic converters’ services. The California-based Unomedical, which manufactures sterile disposable equipment for hospitals, was supposed to be equipped with a catalytic converter to treat its harmful emissions. The company has been proven to produce harmful emissions in the form of ethylene oxide. World Health Organization has listed ethylene oxide as a carcinogen that can cause miscarriages. For that, Unomedical was forced to close down because of this irresponsibility.

This light industrial estate has failed to install the catalytic converters in its exhaust system, thus placing nearby residential areas in grave health risk. The catalytic converter was supposed to lower the medical company’s emission to safe levels. Moreover, the Pittwater Council from the Department of Environment and Climate Change has disclosed that Unomedical might have been releasing this noxious emission since 1996. For this alarming realization, residents are worried of the probable long-term effects of being exposed to ethylene oxide. With the case still ongoing, residents have no choice but wait for the full analysis from the company.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.